As the city populace complained of the cruel dearness of corn, he
fixed a price for grain to be paid by the purchaser, promising himself
to add two sesterces on every peck for the traders. But he would not
therefore accept the title of “father of the country” which once before
too had been offered him, and he sharply rebuked those who called
his work “divine” and himself “lord.” Consequently, speech was restricted
and perilous under an emperor who feared freedom while he hated sycophancy.

I find it stated by some writers and senators of the period that a
letter from Adgandestrius, chief of the Chatti, was read in the Senate,
promising the death of Arminius, if poison were sent for the perpetration
of the murder, and that the reply was that it was not by secret treachery
but openly and by arms that the people of Rome avenged themselves
on their enemies. A noble answer, by which Tiberius sought to liken
himself to those generals of old who had forbidden and even denounced
the poisoning of king Pyrrhus.

Arminius, meanwhile, when the Romans retired and Maroboduus was expelled,
found himself opposed in aiming at the throne by his countrymen’s
independent spirit. He was assailed by armed force, and while fighting
with various success, fell by the treachery of his kinsmen. Assuredly
he was the deliverer of Germany, one too who had defied Rome, not
in her early rise, as other kings and generals, but in the height
of her empire’s glory, had fought, indeed, indecisive battles, yet
in war remained unconquered. He completed thirty-seven years of life,
twelve years of power, and he is still a theme of song among barbarous
nations, though to Greek historians, who admire only their own achievements,
he is unknown, and to Romans not as famous as he should be, while
we extol the past and are indifferent to our own times.